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{{CaptionedImage|file=GracediTassato.jpg|title=Grace Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato of the Gilded Horn carta appears skeptical.|caption=Declarations are the political tools - or weapons - of the Conclave.|align=left|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=GracediTassato.jpg|title=Grace Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato of the Gilded Horn carta appears sceptical.|caption=Declarations are the political tools - or weapons - of the Conclave.|align=left|width=300}}
==Overview==
==Overview==
The Conclave has a number of powers to enable them to fulfil their constitutional role to support the proper use of magic by the Empire. These powers are grouped together as the Declarations of the Conclave. Declarations are used by the Conclave to determine policy and to appoint citizens to the Imperial titles appointed by the Conclave. They always require a vote by the assembled Imperial magicians to pass.  
The Conclave has a number of powers to enable them to fulfil their constitutional role to support the proper use of magic by the Empire. These powers are grouped together as the Declarations of the Conclave. Declarations are used by the Conclave to determine policy and to appoint citizens to the Imperial titles appointed by the Conclave. They always require a vote by the assembled Imperial magicians to pass.  


A declaration can generally be thought of as a short sentence beginning "''The Imperial conclave declares ...''" and then a single specific thing such as "''...that I am Archmage of Winter''" or "''...that Sadogua should be considered an ally of the Empire.''"
A declaration is generally a short sentence or two beginning "''The Imperial conclave declares...''" and then a single specific thing such as "''...that there should be an election for the position of Archmage of Winter''" or "''...that Sadogua should be considered an enemy of the Empire.''"


==Procedure==
==Raising a declaration==
===Raising a declaration===
* '''The occupant of any Imperial title that has the power to submit a declaration will receive a writ from the civil service each time they attend Anvil'''
A declaration is placed on the [[Conclave_session#Setting_the_Agenda|agenda]] for the next [[Conclave session]]. Placing a declaration costs a mana crystal, which must be paid when the declaration is raised. The civil servant records the name of the person raising the declaration and the specifics of what that declaration is about. For example "''Xavier i Guerra raises a Declaration of Sorcery against Pieter Vanderhooven''" or "''Lebannon of Haros Water raises a Declaration of Candidacy for the title of Archmage of Winter''".
* '''The grandmaster of each Conclave order will receive two writs, one for each session of the Conclave'''
* '''The writ must be completed and handed to the office of the Prefect of the Conclave at least one hour before the next session begins'''


The [[grandmaster]] of each [[Conclave order|order]] has a power called the [[Grandmaster#Veil of night|veil of night]] which allows them to raise a declaration to the agenda without revealing any specifics of that declaration, in which case it is recorded as "''"The Grandmaster of (Order) raises a declaration.''"
Any citizen who is submitting a declaration for the approval of the Conclave must provide the Civil Service with a formal copy of the declaration with the precise wording to be voted on. The Civil Service will provide writs before the summit begins to each citizen who is able to submit a declaration. Citizens who hold an appropriate Imperial title will receive one writ for their declaration - grandmasters will receive two writs, one for each session of the Conclave. A writ remains valid, regardless of any changes in that citizen's imperial title during the summit. If a writ is lost or stolen, a replacement can be obtained from the Civil Service, but otherwise it should be completed and handed to the office of the [[Prefect of the Conclave]].  


===Presentation===
The specific wording of the declaration must be explicit on the writ when it is presented for inclusion on the [[Conclave_session#Setting_the_Agenda|agenda]] for the next [[Conclave session]]. The civil servant records the name of the person raising the declaration and the specifics of what that declaration is about. For example "''Xavier i Guerra raises a Declaration of Sorcery against Pieter Vanderhooven''" or "''Lebannon of Haros Water raises a Declaration of Candidacy for the title of Archmage of Winter''".
The format follows the approach used for an [[Conclave address|address]]. Each declaration in turn is announced by the civil service, in the order in which they were placed on the agenda. The individual who raised the declaration to the agenda then has one minute to present their position, they must [[Principle of Proportions|spend crystal mana]] if they wish to [[Conclave_session#Speaking_before_the_Conclave|speak]] for longer.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: left;"><quote by="Little Robert of Pickering">It doesn't matter what's been discussed here or what you meant to write my Lord Earl, what your Declaration of Concord actually says is that "This Conclave believes that Imperial citizens should support heralds of ''A'''gr'''amant'' where they can." You bloody pillock.</quote></div>
This agenda is publicly displayed at the hub so that anyone can review it at any time. The only exception is where a grandmaster invokes their order's [[Grandmaster#Veil_of_Night|Veil of Night]]. If this happens, the exact wording of the declaration must still be provided to the Civil Service but is not made public. It is recorded as ''"The Grandmaster of (Order) raises a declaration under the Veil of Night''". The agenda is closed one hour before the session is scheduled to begin, no declarations will be accepted for that session after this point.  


===Debate===
Each declaration has necessary details that must be provided, and in all cases the precise wording of the declaration is used in the Conclave session. While magicians may discuss anything in relation to the declaration to decide the matter, only the official wording of the declaration are recorded, only the wording as written has any effect beyond what was said in Conclave at the time.
After the declaration has been presented, those present may pay mana for the right to [[Conclave session#Speaking before the Conclave|discuss]] the subject, in order determined by the [[Principle of Precedence]].


===Resolution===
==Presentation==
After the discussion is complete, every Imperial magician present may vote in favour or against, or may choose to abstain. If more magicians vote in favour than vote against, the declaration is carried. In the case of a tie, the declaration is considered to have failed.
* '''Most declarations are raised in the order they were submitted'''
* '''The Prefect will read out the recorded details of the declaration and invite the submitter to speak if they wish'''
* '''The proposer may speak for as long as they please, but must pay for each minute they speak, following the Principle of Proportions'''


The civil servants supporting the meeting may choose to count votes on a general aye or nay where the outcome is very clear. If voting is required, magicians normally vote by raising their hands and are counted out by order with civil servant counting independents and verifying any counts.
There are [[Conclave_session#Order_of_Business|arcane rules that can change the agenda]] but most declarations are raised in the order they were submitted. To begin the debate, the Prefect of the Conclave will read out the recorded details, naming the citizen proposing it followed by the type of declaration and then the precise wording supplied. They will then invite the named citizen to speak in support of their declaration if they wish.


When a declaration is carried, the effects of that declaration come into effect at the ''end'' of the Conclave session. For example, if an [[Archmage]] loses their title due to a [[#Declaration of Candidacy|Declaration of Candidacy]] they legally lose their powers and must surrender their regalia at the end of the session rather than in the middle.
If the proposer wishes to address the Conclave on their declaration then they must spend mana according to the [[Imperial Conclave#Principle of Proportions|Principle of Proportions]]. They must provide one mana crystal for the first minute, two additional mana for the second minute they talk, three additional mana for the third minute and so on.


==List of Declarations==
Under normal circumstances, only the citizen who proposes the declaration may present it to Conclave. A declaration submitted by an Imperial title may be presented by the citizen holding the title or their legal proxy. A declaration submitted by a Conclave order can only be presented by the citizen who submitted it. A grandmaster who submits their own declaration is doing so as a member of their order, they cannot have a proxy present the declaration on their behalf.
===Declaration of Candidacy===
The Conclave can declare someone to hold a specific title controlled by the Conclave. This is most commonly used to propose someone for the title of [[archmage]], [[Warmage]] or [[Dean of the Lyceum]], but there are a number of other temporary or permanent positions that might be allocated using this declaration. Occasionally, this declaration has been used to simply remove someone from their position, by declaring that their post should be filled with ''nobody''.  


It is typical for the civil service to group all declarations of candidacy that effect the same position together at the point on the agenda where the last one was raised and conduct a single vote for the position. In this case, each individual who has raised that declaration makes a presentation in the order they raised their candidacy, then a single discussion takes place followed by a single vote. The candidate with the most votes takes the title. 
==The Debate==
* '''A formal debate begins after the presentation is complete'''
* '''The debate takes place over a series of rounds - each grandmaster can nominate one citizen to speak in each round'''
* '''Anyone nominated to speak can allow the proposer to use some or all of their allotted time to respond to comments or questions'''


The incumbent does not automatically get to make a presentation - although there is nothing to stop them raising themselves as a candidate if they realise someone is challenging for their title. They may speak normally during the discussion period, and the incumbent is automatically presented as an option during the voting process without the need for a separate declaration.
After the presented is complete, the Prefect will give the orders a minute to discuss the matter among themselves before the [[Conclave_session#Debating_a_Declaration|formal debate of the declaration]] begins. This debate takes place over a series of rounds with grandmasters (and the Throne if present) taking turns to nominate a citizen to speak. A grandmaster may nominate the proposer to speak on their turn if they wish.


It is the responsibility of the previous holder of the title to ensure that all regalia passes to the new title holder speedily and with the minimum of fuss.
Citizens who are nominated to speak may not invite others to speak on their behalf, but they may use any part of their time to grant the individual who presented the declaration a chance to respond.  


===Declaration of Concord ===
==Resolution==
The Conclave makes an agreed upon statement of belief, intent or support. It has no binding legal element but clearly expresses the intent of the Conclave. It is often used to decide that the Conclave agrees to bring a matter before the [[Imperial Senate|Senate]], and potentially to nominate someone responsible for liaising with the [[Senator|senators]] to raise a motion there.
* '''The vote takes place after the formal debate is complete'''
* '''Each magician present may abstain or cast a vote in support or against the declaration'''
Occasionally the Declaration of Concord is used in advance to declare that a specific magical act will not be considered sorcery. In 326YE for example, a number of [[Curse|curses]] were placed on individuals who had been identified by the [[Shuttered Lantern]] as supporters of the [[Briar|briars]] involved in the [[Freedom Heresy|Freedom heresy]]. Given the personal power of several of these individuals, the covens involved sought this Declaration immediately before placing the curses and used it (successfully) as a defence when magicians associated with the [[Imperial Senate]] and [[Imperial Synod]] tried to have them declared sorcerers in the aftermath.
* '''If the majority of votes cast are in favour then the declaration passes, otherwise it fails'''


The Declaration of Concord has also been used to set in motion the sequence of events that lead to the [[Conclave_order#Creation_and_Dissolution_of_an_Order|creation or dissolution of a Conclave order]].
After the debate is complete, every Imperial magician present may vote in favour or against, or may choose to abstain. If more magicians vote in favour than vote against, the declaration is carried. In the case of a tie, the declaration is considered to have failed.


===Declaration of Endowment===
The civil servants supporting the meeting may choose to count votes on a general aye or nay where the outcome is very clear. If voting is required, magicians normally vote by raising their hands and are counted out by order with civil servants verifying any counts and adding on any independents.
Any mana or illium that the Conclave owns is automatically added to the Font - for distribution between the orders. Other property, such as [[Game_items#Materials|materials]], items, money and even resources, are not added to the Font - they remain the property of the Conclave until they are distributed by a Declaration of Endowment.


Anyone raising a Declaration of Endowment must state what property of the Conclave they wish to transfer and who to. The recipient may be any Imperial citizen - but it can also be one or more of the Conclave orders. Any resources, items or riches endowed on an order are added to that order's vaults, and distributed to the [[grandmaster]] either after the session or at the start of the next summit.
When a declaration is carried, the effects of that declaration come into effect at the ''end'' of the Conclave session. For example, if an [[archmage]] loses their title due to a [[Candidacy|Declaration of Candidacy]] they legally lose their powers and must surrender their regalia only at the end of the session. Similarly, if someone uses the [[Arbiter_of_the_Rogue_Declaration#Rogue_Declaration|rogue declaration]] during a session in which they also gain a different title via [[Candidacy]], they gain the new title at the end of the session meaning their rogue declaration is legal.


The Conclave cannot rescind a Declaration of Endowment; once passed the item or items become the full legal property of the recipient. The Conclave can indicate that they ''expect'' a magician to bequeath an item to the Conclave when they are finished with it, but they cannot create a legal obligation to do so as part of a Declaration of Endowment. If the Conclave is bequeathed a resource that provides an ongoing income then they may either pass a declaration to endow the resource - or instead endow some portion of the income accrued to date.
==Withdrawal==
* '''A declaration may be withdrawn at any time'''
The citizen who submitted a declaration may withdraw it at any time. If a declaration is withdrawn before a session begins then the citizen may submit a new declaration in its place. The civil service will endeavour to provide the citizen with a replacement writ to enable them to submit a new declaration where possible. Note that the replacement declaration is added to the end of the running order at the point it is submitted; it does not get inserted in the original declaration place in the running order.


===Declaration of Sorcery===
If a declaration is withdrawn after a session begins then the right to submit a declaration that summit is lost.
The Conclave may declare someone to be a sorcerer. The most common reason for this declaration is as a result of an abuse of 'legal curses' against citizens or allies of the Empire, or against those engaged in suspect trade of magical resources (often in conjunction with a legal penalty assessed by an [[Imperial_law#Magistrates and trials|Imperial magistrate]]). If this Declaration is made:


* the sorcerer is prohibited from contributing to rituals.
==Constitutional Limits==
* the sorcerer is prohibited from carrying or using crystal mana, ritual staves, foci, coven stones, crystalline mana, vis, items that have passed from a realm into the empire and potions whose primary purpose is to aid or enhance the performance of rituals.
* '''The number of Imperial titles that can submit a declaration is strictly limited to ensure that Conclave does not run too long'''
* the sorcerer cannot hold any title within the Imperial Conclave.
* '''Only one Imperial title can be given the power to raise a specific type of declaration'''
* the sorcerer cannot use mana to raise an item to the conclave agenda.
* the sorcerer cannot use mana to speak before the conclave, although another individual may pay mana on their behalf.
* the sorcerer is prohibited from knowingly interacting with [[Eternals]] or their heralds.


All crystal mana and other prohibited items (bar regalia) owned by someone declared to be a sorcerer is legally forfeit to the Conclave. A sorcerer who violates these prohibitions will be subject to arrest and trial before a [[Imperial Law|magistrate]]. During the Spring Summit 378YE, the [[Imperial Senate]] voted to add a prohibition against interaction with eternals and their heralds to the declaration. During the Summer summit 380YE, the definition was  [[Amend_Crime_of_Sorcery_II|further expanded]] to preclude possession of certain non-mana items that allowed ritual magic to be performed.
Because the Imperial Conclave permits any magician of the Empire to take part, a [[Conclave session]] can take a long time to complete. One of the few things that restricts the potential duration of Conclave is the number of declarations that can be submitted. Each order can submit one declaration per session, but in theory the Imperial Senate could create any number of new Imperial titles that have the power to submit declarations. Doing so would make Conclave sessions unacceptably long and this would violate the Constitutional requirement that the Conclave ''"accord a voice to those citizens who demonstrate command of magic"''.


The declaration must name each specific individual who will be covered. A declaration may only name more than one individual if they are members of the same oathsworn band - either a [[bands#banner|banner]], [[bands#Sect|sect]], or [[bands#coven|coven]] at the time the declaration is made. If there are multiple names on the declaration, then members of the Conclave must either vote for or against the entire list - they may not split their votes.
As a result the number of Conclave orders is limited to seven (there could be less than this if the Senate chose to dissolve an order). Crucially the number of Imperial titles that can submit a declaration for the consideration of the Conclave is strictly limited. Under guidance issued by the Constitutional Court, an Imperial title can only ever be given the power to raise a single declaration each summit, only of a specific type, and only if no other Imperial title can submit a declaration of that type. Thus the Senate could create a new Imperial title and give it the power to raise a single Declaration of Sorcery, since no other existing title has the power to raise that declaration. But they could not create a title that could raise a Declaration of Endowment, since the existing Bursar of the Conclave has that responsibility already. Any change to Imperial law that broke these rules is likely to fail scrutiny.


===Declaration of Reconciliation===
The archmages are a special exception to this rule, since they share a common power to raise a Declaration of Alignment. However, their powers remain practically distinct since they can only submit the Declaration for eternals of their realm.
The Conclave may reconcile a sorcerer with the Empire. If this declaration is made, all rights that were taken from them are returned. They regain possession of any confiscated mana site, but not of any crystal mana it may have produced while they were sorcerers.
 
This declaration can also be used to remove or modify a ban placed by the [[#Declaration of Interdiction|declaration of interdiction]].
 
===Declaration of Amity===
The Conclave may declare a specific [[Eternals|eternal]] is an ally of the Conclave. Members of the Conclave are encouraged to demonstrate courtesy and even aid these Eternals, or their Heralds, where it is possible for them to do so. The Eternal, and any associated Heralds, gain the rights of [[Amity_and_enmity|Amity]]. This declaration overturns a [[#Declaration of Enmity|declaration of enmity]].
 
In some cases, the Empire has attracted the attention of an eternal they wished to initiate contact with through this declaration. The [[Declaration#Declaration of Concord|Declaration of Concord]] has been used occasionally with some success, but the most effective way to get the attention of an eternal who is not currently interested in the Empire is through the Declaration of Amity.
 
Further information about the rights of Amity and a list of the Eternals who currently benefit from these rights is available [[Amity_and_enmity|here]].
 
===Declaration of Enmity===
The Conclave may declare a specific [[Eternals|Eternal]] to be an enemy of the Empire. If this declaration is made, it becomes dangerous for anyone to consort with the Eternal named in this declaration, or with their Heralds. Such an act usually results in the offender being declared a sorcerer, but they may also face investigation by a magistrate for treason. Having [[Amity_and_enmity|enmity]] from the Conclave brings with it a number of other drawbacks. It automatically overturns a [[#Declaration of Amity|declaration of amity]].
 
Further information about the effects of Enmity and a list of the Eternals who are currently enemies of the Empire is available [[Amity_and_enmity|here]].
 
===Declaration of Neutrality===
This declaration removes either amity or enmity from a specific target and returns them to a neutral legal status. Any benefits gained from, or penalties imposed by, the previous status are lost at the end of the conclave session.
 
===Declaration of Imperial Lore===
Rituals that are part of [[Formulaic_ritual#Imperial_Lore_and_the_Ritual_List|Imperial Lore]] are widely available to any Imperial citizen. New rituals may be added to Imperial Lore by this declaration. The declaration instructs the civil service to arrange for a specific ritual be added to the body of Imperial Lore, allowing magicians all over the Empire to receive training in the ritual. This process requires three things:
* A copy of a ritual text detailing the ritual which is used up as part of the process
* A successful Declaration of Imperial Lore
* Ten thrones which are given to the civil service to pay for distribution of the ritual
Once a ritual is added to Imperial Lore it is currently impossible to remove it. The best the Conclave can do is attempt to declare performance of the ritual to be sorcery with the [[#Declaration of Interdiction|Declaration of Interdiction]]. In the past, the Conclave has often approached the [[Imperial Senate]] for assistance paying the ten Thrones, but this requires a separate motion from the Senators.
 
===Declaration of Dissemination===
While rituals that are part of Imperial Lore are available to any Imperial citizen, there are circumstances where a magician might wish to share one of these rituals with someone else, or may simply desire a ritual text for their own personal library. Doing so invariably requires the creation of a [[Formulaic_ritual#Ritual_Texts|ritual text]], which can be handed over to the target. A magician who brings a declaration of dissemination before the conclave must name a specific ritual that is part of Imperial lore. They may also name a person or group who will receive the ritual text - for example "the [[Principalities of Jarm|Jarmish]] house of [[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Rigia_.28Eastern_Principalities_of_Jarm.29|Radz]]" or "the [[Asavean_Archipelago|Asavean ambassador]]". If the declaration passes, the civil service will arrange to create a ritual text and deliver it to the individual by the start of the next solstice or equinox at the latest.
 
Creating a ritual text through the declaration of dissemination requires ten thrones, which are given to the civil service to pay for the codification of the ritual.
 
===Declaration of Interdiction===
The Conclave may censor specific rituals, items and materials that represent a significant magical danger to the Empire. In the case of rituals it doesn't prevent knowing the ritual, but it means that producing the magical effect that that ritual creates is [[List_of_Criminal_Offences#Crimes_against_the_Processes_of_the_State|henceforth illegal]]. For magic items and materials it is illegal to use the interdicted items or materials and they should be handed in promptly to the civil service to be destroyed or placed out of reach, as appropriate.
 
====Interdicted Items====
The Conclave has interdicted the following as of the start of Summer 379YE.


==List of Declarations==
{|
{|
| '''Item''' || '''Nature''' || '''Name of Declarer'''
| '''Declaration''' || '''Effect''' || '''Imperial Title'''
|-
| [[Alignment]] || Defines the relationship between an eternal and the Empire. || [[Archmage]]
|-
| [[Candidacy]] || Propose someone to hold an [[Imperial title]] || [[The Throne]]
|-
| [[Concord]] || Propose statement of belief, intent, or support by the Conclave || [[Imperial Magus]]
|-
|-
| The Ancient Vallorn Ritual || Ritual || ?
| [[Dissemination]] || Propose that knowledge of a ritual be shared with someone || None
|-
| [[Endorsement]] || Propose that an act of magic is in the interests of the Empire || [[Arcane Envoy]]
|-
| [[Endowment]] || Propose that someone receive something owned by the Conclave || [[Bursar of the Conclave]]
|-
| [[Imperial lore]] || Propose that a ritual text be added to the body of Imperial lore || [[Dean of the Lyceum]]
|-  
|-  
| Vallorn Seeds || Item || ?
| [[Interdiction]] || Propose that a magical practice be proscribed within the Empire || [[Imperial Censor]]
|-
|-
| [[Sorcery]] || Propose that someone is a sorcerer, or reconciled with the Conclave || [[Witness of Conclave]]
|}
|}
 
{{Conclave further reading}}
[[Category:Conclave]]
[[Category:Conclave]]

Latest revision as of 11:57, 30 June 2024

Grace Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato of the Gilded Horn carta appears sceptical.
Declarations are the political tools - or weapons - of the Conclave.

Overview

The Conclave has a number of powers to enable them to fulfil their constitutional role to support the proper use of magic by the Empire. These powers are grouped together as the Declarations of the Conclave. Declarations are used by the Conclave to determine policy and to appoint citizens to the Imperial titles appointed by the Conclave. They always require a vote by the assembled Imperial magicians to pass.

A declaration is generally a short sentence or two beginning "The Imperial conclave declares..." and then a single specific thing such as "...that there should be an election for the position of Archmage of Winter" or "...that Sadogua should be considered an enemy of the Empire."

Raising a declaration

  • The occupant of any Imperial title that has the power to submit a declaration will receive a writ from the civil service each time they attend Anvil
  • The grandmaster of each Conclave order will receive two writs, one for each session of the Conclave
  • The writ must be completed and handed to the office of the Prefect of the Conclave at least one hour before the next session begins

Any citizen who is submitting a declaration for the approval of the Conclave must provide the Civil Service with a formal copy of the declaration with the precise wording to be voted on. The Civil Service will provide writs before the summit begins to each citizen who is able to submit a declaration. Citizens who hold an appropriate Imperial title will receive one writ for their declaration - grandmasters will receive two writs, one for each session of the Conclave. A writ remains valid, regardless of any changes in that citizen's imperial title during the summit. If a writ is lost or stolen, a replacement can be obtained from the Civil Service, but otherwise it should be completed and handed to the office of the Prefect of the Conclave.

The specific wording of the declaration must be explicit on the writ when it is presented for inclusion on the agenda for the next Conclave session. The civil servant records the name of the person raising the declaration and the specifics of what that declaration is about. For example "Xavier i Guerra raises a Declaration of Sorcery against Pieter Vanderhooven" or "Lebannon of Haros Water raises a Declaration of Candidacy for the title of Archmage of Winter".

It doesn't matter what's been discussed here or what you meant to write my Lord Earl, what your Declaration of Concord actually says is that "This Conclave believes that Imperial citizens should support heralds of Agramant where they can." You bloody pillock.

Little Robert of Pickering

This agenda is publicly displayed at the hub so that anyone can review it at any time. The only exception is where a grandmaster invokes their order's Veil of Night. If this happens, the exact wording of the declaration must still be provided to the Civil Service but is not made public. It is recorded as "The Grandmaster of (Order) raises a declaration under the Veil of Night". The agenda is closed one hour before the session is scheduled to begin, no declarations will be accepted for that session after this point.

Each declaration has necessary details that must be provided, and in all cases the precise wording of the declaration is used in the Conclave session. While magicians may discuss anything in relation to the declaration to decide the matter, only the official wording of the declaration are recorded, only the wording as written has any effect beyond what was said in Conclave at the time.

Presentation

  • Most declarations are raised in the order they were submitted
  • The Prefect will read out the recorded details of the declaration and invite the submitter to speak if they wish
  • The proposer may speak for as long as they please, but must pay for each minute they speak, following the Principle of Proportions

There are arcane rules that can change the agenda but most declarations are raised in the order they were submitted. To begin the debate, the Prefect of the Conclave will read out the recorded details, naming the citizen proposing it followed by the type of declaration and then the precise wording supplied. They will then invite the named citizen to speak in support of their declaration if they wish.

If the proposer wishes to address the Conclave on their declaration then they must spend mana according to the Principle of Proportions. They must provide one mana crystal for the first minute, two additional mana for the second minute they talk, three additional mana for the third minute and so on.

Under normal circumstances, only the citizen who proposes the declaration may present it to Conclave. A declaration submitted by an Imperial title may be presented by the citizen holding the title or their legal proxy. A declaration submitted by a Conclave order can only be presented by the citizen who submitted it. A grandmaster who submits their own declaration is doing so as a member of their order, they cannot have a proxy present the declaration on their behalf.

The Debate

  • A formal debate begins after the presentation is complete
  • The debate takes place over a series of rounds - each grandmaster can nominate one citizen to speak in each round
  • Anyone nominated to speak can allow the proposer to use some or all of their allotted time to respond to comments or questions

After the presented is complete, the Prefect will give the orders a minute to discuss the matter among themselves before the formal debate of the declaration begins. This debate takes place over a series of rounds with grandmasters (and the Throne if present) taking turns to nominate a citizen to speak. A grandmaster may nominate the proposer to speak on their turn if they wish.

Citizens who are nominated to speak may not invite others to speak on their behalf, but they may use any part of their time to grant the individual who presented the declaration a chance to respond.

Resolution

  • The vote takes place after the formal debate is complete
  • Each magician present may abstain or cast a vote in support or against the declaration
  • If the majority of votes cast are in favour then the declaration passes, otherwise it fails

After the debate is complete, every Imperial magician present may vote in favour or against, or may choose to abstain. If more magicians vote in favour than vote against, the declaration is carried. In the case of a tie, the declaration is considered to have failed.

The civil servants supporting the meeting may choose to count votes on a general aye or nay where the outcome is very clear. If voting is required, magicians normally vote by raising their hands and are counted out by order with civil servants verifying any counts and adding on any independents.

When a declaration is carried, the effects of that declaration come into effect at the end of the Conclave session. For example, if an archmage loses their title due to a Declaration of Candidacy they legally lose their powers and must surrender their regalia only at the end of the session. Similarly, if someone uses the rogue declaration during a session in which they also gain a different title via Candidacy, they gain the new title at the end of the session meaning their rogue declaration is legal.

Withdrawal

  • A declaration may be withdrawn at any time

The citizen who submitted a declaration may withdraw it at any time. If a declaration is withdrawn before a session begins then the citizen may submit a new declaration in its place. The civil service will endeavour to provide the citizen with a replacement writ to enable them to submit a new declaration where possible. Note that the replacement declaration is added to the end of the running order at the point it is submitted; it does not get inserted in the original declaration place in the running order.

If a declaration is withdrawn after a session begins then the right to submit a declaration that summit is lost.

Constitutional Limits

  • The number of Imperial titles that can submit a declaration is strictly limited to ensure that Conclave does not run too long
  • Only one Imperial title can be given the power to raise a specific type of declaration

Because the Imperial Conclave permits any magician of the Empire to take part, a Conclave session can take a long time to complete. One of the few things that restricts the potential duration of Conclave is the number of declarations that can be submitted. Each order can submit one declaration per session, but in theory the Imperial Senate could create any number of new Imperial titles that have the power to submit declarations. Doing so would make Conclave sessions unacceptably long and this would violate the Constitutional requirement that the Conclave "accord a voice to those citizens who demonstrate command of magic".

As a result the number of Conclave orders is limited to seven (there could be less than this if the Senate chose to dissolve an order). Crucially the number of Imperial titles that can submit a declaration for the consideration of the Conclave is strictly limited. Under guidance issued by the Constitutional Court, an Imperial title can only ever be given the power to raise a single declaration each summit, only of a specific type, and only if no other Imperial title can submit a declaration of that type. Thus the Senate could create a new Imperial title and give it the power to raise a single Declaration of Sorcery, since no other existing title has the power to raise that declaration. But they could not create a title that could raise a Declaration of Endowment, since the existing Bursar of the Conclave has that responsibility already. Any change to Imperial law that broke these rules is likely to fail scrutiny.

The archmages are a special exception to this rule, since they share a common power to raise a Declaration of Alignment. However, their powers remain practically distinct since they can only submit the Declaration for eternals of their realm.

List of Declarations

Declaration Effect Imperial Title
Alignment Defines the relationship between an eternal and the Empire. Archmage
Candidacy Propose someone to hold an Imperial title The Throne
Concord Propose statement of belief, intent, or support by the Conclave Imperial Magus
Dissemination Propose that knowledge of a ritual be shared with someone None
Endorsement Propose that an act of magic is in the interests of the Empire Arcane Envoy
Endowment Propose that someone receive something owned by the Conclave Bursar of the Conclave
Imperial lore Propose that a ritual text be added to the body of Imperial lore Dean of the Lyceum
Interdiction Propose that a magical practice be proscribed within the Empire Imperial Censor
Sorcery Propose that someone is a sorcerer, or reconciled with the Conclave Witness of Conclave

Further Reading

Core Brief

Additional Information

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